How to buy a used car in Nigeria
Buying a used car is a great option for those on tight budget looking for ways to get the best bargain for their money. However, as easy as it sounds, there are many things you should consider and check before you make the deal.
Indeed, when it comes to buying a car you cannot expect an honest answer from the person selling, so you have to make sure you check it all yourself. In case you are not experienced with cars or have just a vague idea of what there is important to check, you should consider taking a friend along. Look for experienced mechanics, and if you do not know one, consider hiring one for a couple of hours when you set an appointment to check out the car. Some mechanics can tell if the car’s engine is ok by simply hearing it start.
Perhaps the best way to find a used car would be to ask around if anyone they know is selling a car. This way you would be able to make a better bargain and be more sure that the seller is telling the truth.
Google the car you’ve chosen to read about all its pros and cons before you buy it:
- Check whether the spare parts for the car of your choice are affordable and easy to get.
- Check the fuel economy – you do not want a car that would be demanding a lot of fuel.
If you have decided to buy a car online, look through sites with online ads, like OLX Nigeria to find the car you want. In case you already found the right ad, go through the points in the list below to make sure you buy the right one.
Ask the right questions before the deal and repeat them again when you meet in person to see whether the answers match.
10 questions you should ask before buying a car:
1. How many miles are on the odometer? (This will tell you how long the car was used.)
2. Did you buy this car new or used? (The more owners the car had, the more used it gets. Moreover, theperson selling you the car now might have missed something when buying it from the previous owner.)
3. Why are you selling this car? (There is no guarantee you will hear the truth, yet if you ask this question a couple of times you might see whether the person is lying.)
- How much do you want for this car? (Research the prices for new cars and used cars of this kind. Make sure you are not buying a used car for the price of a new one with the same features.)
- Where was this car bought and from whom?
- How would you describe this car’s condition?
- Are there any malfunctions in the car that I need to know about?
- Are the papers in order?
- Are you willing to let me get the car inspected independently? (If the person doesn’t let you, this is a bad sign.)
- I would like to take it for a test drive, If you don’t mind. How long can it be?
If the answers you hear sound like a good deal, set an appointment to check the car. Remember, if the price is too low for the car of this kind, this might be a scam and you have to run all the checks twice. Take a test drive with your mechanic to see how the car responds and whether all that is good inside is good while you use it.
Furthermore, check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) – chasis number before you sign the check or hand over the cash. It will cost you some money to do this, yet it might save you a lot in the future – this will show the cars history and whether it had been stolen or impounded. You can contact a dealer in your country to do this check.
